China's bird flu vaccine for humans 'safe and effective'

Beijing, Dec 24 (Xinhua) China announced Monday that its human-use bird flu vaccine had proved 'safe' and 'effective' during the second phase of clinical tests.

The vaccine was jointly developed by the Beijing-based vaccine producer Sinovac Biotech, the first in the world to develop a SARS vaccine, and the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. China's ministry of science and technology and the ministry of health have also supported the programme.

Zhang Jiansan, vice-general manager of the Sinovac Biotech, said the second phase of clinical tests was carried out from September to November with approval of the Chinese state food and drug administration. A total of 402 people aged 18 to 60 participated in the test.

Test results showed that the major index of the vaccine reached international standard and performed well in the human body. None of the test takers were found with serious negative reaction, which proved that the vaccine was safe.

Zhang said test participants of different ages were given different dosages of vaccine, and the result was also positive. 'It means the vaccine could give multiple choices in treating flu-infected people.

'We were able to control the dosage and immunization procedure during the second phase of clinical tests, which also provided us scientific and effective methods to combat highly infective influenza,' Zhang said.

Observers said China has completed its technological preparation to combat influenza with the success of human-use bird flu vaccine research and clinical tests.

'China is also capable of producing human-use bird flu vaccine in appropriate quantity,' Zhang stressed.

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

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